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DAR Sports: 2010 NBA Finals- Lakers vs Celtics

We've talked about most of Jordan's championship wins, discussed D. Wade and Shaq's title win, the 2004 Pistons winning their title, but today? With basketball season coming very soon, we had to discuss the 5th championship ring for Kobe Bryant, as the Lakers and Celtics went a full 7 games. The 2008 NBA Finals saw the Celtics defeat the Lakers to claim the championship, and The Lakers defeated the Magic in 2009 to win the NBA championship, so this was a meeting of the most recent 2 NBA champions and a chance for the Lakers to gain redemption from 2008. The Lakers vs Celtics rivalry is one etched in history as possibly the greatest ever. During various eras in basketball history, these two teams faced each other in the Finals and the Celtics would come out on top in the majority of those meetings. I won't delve too deep into their rivalry, I'll save that for another column(wait for it...). However, as the 2010 Playoffs began, the talk going around was a meeting in the Finals between LeBron and the Cavs against Kobe and the Lakers(both were the no. 1 seed in their conference), but fate and destiny had something else in mind. For the Lakers, this Finals could only be known as a road to redemption.

The road to the finals for both teams was pretty interesting, as the Celtics took out the Miami Heat in the first round in 5 games, then the no. 1 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in 6 games, before stopping the Orlando Magic from returning to the finals in 6 games. The Celtics were headed to their 2nd NBA Finals in 3 years. The Lakers got pushed to the limit in a 6 game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, before sweeping the Utah Jazz, then taking out the Phoenix Suns in 6 games to advance to their 3rd straight Finals appearance. The stage was set for a huge 2008 Finals rematch. Would Kobe and the Lakers get a 2nd championship in a row? Or would it be the Celtics destiny?

The starting lineup for the Celtics would feature Kendrick Perkins, Rondo, Ray Allen, KG, and of course Paul Pierce. The Lakers starting lineup would feature Kobe, Pau, Artest, Andrew Bynum, and Derek Fisher. As Game 1 approached, there was an aura about this Finals rematch.

*Game 1

-The Lakers came in pretty focused, and were able to squeeze out a game 1 victory over the Celtics 102-89. Kobe would put up 30 points and 6 assists, while Pau would have a great game with 23 points and 14 rebounds. The Celtics were led by a 24 points and 9 rebounds game from Paul Pierce, but as game 2 arrived, the Celtics looked to get it together.

*Game 2

The Celtics came back with a vengeance in game 2 to even up the series 1-1 with a 103-94 victory. Kobe wasn't as much of a factor in this game, as he finished with only 21 points and 6 assists(still respectable numbers), but Pau would be the biggest story of the game for the Lakers at least, as he finished with 25 points and 8 rebounds. The Celtics would be led by Paul Pierce, who finished with 32 points, and by Rondo, who finished with a triple double of 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. With the series even at 1-1, the series would go to Boston for the next 3 days after the first and two games in LA of course.

*Game 3

Both teams came in ready to make an impact and take the series lead, but it would be the Lakers would pull out a victory in game 3, 91-84. The story here has to start with Derek Fisher and his 11 points in the 3rd quarter, which completely shifted momentum to the Lakers. Kobe would finish with 29 points to lead the team, as Pau also put up a 13 points and 10 rebounds performance. The Celtics were led by KG, who put up 25 points and pulled down 6 rebounds. With the Lakers up 2-1, game 4 would be quite decisive for both teams, as it could shift the tide completely to the Lakers or even it up for the Celtics.

*Game 4

-The Celtics would not allow themselves to fall into a possible 3-1 hole as they fought hard to come away with a 96-89 victory to even the series 2-2. The bench helped push the Celtics over, and Pierce delivered with a 19 point performance. Kobe was once again in top form, finishing with 33 points but it just wasn't enough for the Lakers. As we headed into game 5 tied up at 2-2, the most vital game was upon us.

*Game 5

-Paul Pierce was on fire in game 5 and he would finish with 27 points, assisted by an 18 points and 10 rebounds performance from KG as well. The Lakers couldn't get it together as a team, despite Kobe finishing with 38 points to lead his team, the Lakers would come up short 92-86, giving the Celtics a 3-2 lead. With game 6 looming, the Celtics would head back to LA to try and close out the series and bring home another championship. Would they do it?

*Game 6

-Game 6 was virtually a blowout for the Lakers. The Celtics couldn't get their momentum going and they would end up losing 89-67. Ray Allen led the team in scoring with 19 points, but it was nowhere near enough. Kobe and Pau both played amazing, as Kobe finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Pau finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds. With the series tied up 3-3, the final game 7 would set up for an epic clash. Would redemption come for the Lakers from 2008? Or would the Celtics reach the mountain top again?

*Game 7

-It seemed as if the Celtics were going to win this game. They carried a 13 point lead into the third quarter, but the Lakers would look to Gasol and Artest for the assistance and eventual victory to win their second title in a row and gain redemption. Kobe would finish with 23 points, Artest would finish with 20 points and Gasol with 19, as the Lakers won 83-79 to secure the NBA championship and win back to back titles. Of course, Kobe was named NBA Finals MVP for his consistency throughout the series. It would be the last title for Kobe(unless the Lakers have a miracle season this coming year), and Phil Jackson as a coach too. For the Celtics, it would be their last run into the NBA Finals and the final time that huge team of Rondo, Allen, KG, and Pierce truly played together and contended. In many ways, this NBA Finals was the end of an era.